Wednesday of the
First Week in Lent
(Jonah 3:1-10; Luke 11:29-32)
The gospels record that Jesus performed many
healings. They also testify that he
drove out many devils. It may be asked
then why do the people in today’s passage ask a sign of Jesus to prove his
legitimacy. Perhaps they want a sign “on
demand.” But that would be humans’
mandating the divine when the dynamic is meant to go the other way. Nevertheless, Jesus offers them a sign of
sorts.
Jesus tells the people that they will have the “sign of
Jonah.” In Luke’s gospel this does not
mean being buried three days as Matthew’s.
The sign here is a preaching more compelling than one that moved millions
– men and beasts alike -- to repentance.
Perhaps the people in Jesus’ day would say something like they do in
ours. For them Jesus’ preaching, which
in this gospel includes the parables of the Prodigal Son and the Good
Samaritan, is only “interesting.”
We have many reasons to follow Jesus. His miracles, his teaching, as well as his preaching
all point to a divine origin. But the
main reason we believe in Jesus is his crucifixion on our behalf together with
his resurrection. By it we have received
every kind of grace. Cross and
resurrection provide us a model to emulate, a goal to anticipate, and a support
along the way.
